Mobile particulate material carrier and dispenser

ABSTRACT

A bulk material dispenser having a receptacle rotatably supported on a wheeled frame with an access opening in the receptacle for filling the receptacle with particulate material. A hydraulic pump connected to a double acting telescoping hydraulic piston cylinder assembly pivotally mounted between the frame and the receptacle for rotating the receptacle between a first loading position and a second dispensing position. A dispensing opening in said receptacle for controlling the discharge of material from said receptacle. Baffles and material agitators in said receptacle to assist the dispensing of the particulate material.

United States Patent [19] Harper et al.

[54] MOBILE PARTICULATE MATERIAL CARRIER AND DISPENSER [75] Inventors: William H. Harper, Dallas; Charles R. Peace, Mesquite; Jake'B. Keller, Desoto, all of Tex.

[731' Assignee: A.M.H. Equipment, Inc., Dallas,

Texl

[22] Filed: May 28, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 147,993

[52] US. Cl ..222/166, 222/235 [51 Int. Cl. ..B67d 5/64 [58] Field of Search '.222/177, 166, 181,

[451 May 1,1973

3 190,509 6/1965 Kirchhoefer .222/450 1,430,935 10/1922 Bright ..222/235 X 2,737,315 3/1956 Rose ..222/l29 X Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollbery Attorney-Kenneth R. Glaser and John F. Booth [5 7] ABSTRACT cylinder assembly pivotally mounted between the frame and the receptacle for rotating the receptacle between a first loading position and a second dispensing position A dispensing opening in said receptacle for controlling the discharge of material from said receptacle. Baffles and material agitators in said receptacle to assist the dispensing of the particulate material.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,409,328 11/1968 Hamby et al. ..222/l66 X 646,316 3/1900 Ross ..222/l66 X 54 i 22 20 lllll PATENTEW 11975 3,730,396

SHEET 1 OF 2 I26 FIG. 2

52 INVENTORS WILLIAM H. HARPER l8 CHARLES R. PEACE 24 JAKE B. KELLER ATTORNEY PATENTEU W 1 7 sum 2 [IF 2 INVENEORS WILLIAM H. HARP R CHARLES R. PEACE JAKE B. KELLER fiTTO/(NEY MOBILE PARTICULATE MATERIAL CARRIER AND DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to improvements in material handling apparatus and the like and more particularly to a new and improved mobile bulk particulate material transporter and dispenser of the type wherein material can be dispensed in unit volumes by a gravity type feed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In the field of handling bulk particulate material such as mortar mix or the like, it has been the general practice to package material in bags containing one cubic foot of particulate material. The bags can then be transported from one place to another and can be opened and used as required. Although the use of bags served the purpose, it was not entirely satisfactory for the reason that a considerable amount of time and labor is required to transport, open and empty the bags, thus increasing the cost of using this system. This cost is further increased due to the cost of the bags and the time and labor required to clean up the work site and remove and dispose of the empty bags.

The bag system has also proved to be wasteful of the bulk material itself. For example, the bags would break during handling, thus spilling the contents or becoming exposed to moisture, thereby ruining the contents. Difficulty was also encountered in removing all of the material from the inside of the bag due to sticking.

To eliminate this waste and increased cost of using a bag system, a mobile receptacle system was contemplatedwhich would hold a large volume of material and could be filled with material at a supply station and transported to the work site. In these systems the receptacle was mounted on a wheeled frame and provided with an access opening through which the material could be removed.

Although this system removed the necessity of utilizing bags to transport materials such as mortar, difficulty was experienced in removing the material from the device to a mixer or place of use. When mortar is mixed, it is necessary to measure proportionate amounts of mortar with sand and/or other materials. As a result, it is necessary to remove the mortar material from the receptacle, measure it and then place it in the mixer, which is a time-consuming and expensive process. Also, it becomes harder to remove material from the receptacle as the amount contained therein reaches a lower level.

To overcome these problems, another type of dispenser apparatus was proposed which also comprises a large volume receptacle on a wheeled frame but used a power driven screw conveyor to lift the material from the bottom of the receptacle to a dispensing level. Although this apparatus eliminated the necessity of utilizing bags, it was found that the conveyor was time-consuming to use and expensive to build and maintain and required a power plant to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The general purpose of this invention is to provide an improved bulk particulate material handling and dispensing apparatus which embraces all of the advantages of the previously described apparatus, yet possesses none of the aforedescribed disadvantages. To attain this, the present invention contemplates the use of a movable receptacle for containing and gravity feeding bulk particulate material in combination with a dispensing and measuring means on the receptacle.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved bulk particulate material handling and dispensing apparatus;

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved bulk particulate material handling and dispensing apparatus which is mobile;

Another object of the invention is to provide a bulk particulate material handling and dispensing apparatus which utilizes a gravity feed to dispense the material;

A further object of the invention is the provision of a bulk particulate material handling and dispensing apparatus which can dispense measured amounts of material;

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a gravity feed bulk particulate material handling and dispensing apparatus which has a low profile during transport, yet is high enough-to dispense directly into standard mixer apparatus;

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a bulk particulate material handling and dispensing apparatus which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and use.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation of an embodiment of the present invention with the receptacle in the lower or filling position;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the receptacle in the raised or dispensing position;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the device of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the support arms of the receptacle;

FIG. 5 illustrates a section of the device taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2 with both of the diaphragms in the closed position: and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view identical to FIG. 5 except that the upper diaphragm is in the loading position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, wherein like referenced characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 an embodiment of a mobile bulk material dispenser assembly which is designated by numeral 10 for purposes of reference.

This dispensing assembly is constructed with a metallic frame 12 having a wheeled suspension assembly 14 and a hitch means 16. The hitch assembly 16 can be an ordinary trailer hitch assembly which is well known in the art so that the dispenser assembly 10 may be attached to a power vehicle and towed thereby in a manner similar to an ordinary trailer. The wheel suspension assembly 14 can be of a rugged, high axle type so that the assembly 10 can be transported over rough terrain from a location where the assembly 10 is filled with particulate material to a building site wherein the material is dispensed and used as required.

The frame 12 also has a screw jack assembly and rear support assemblies 18 which are adjustable with respect to the frame to support the front and rear portions respectively. The screw jack assembly 20 is positioned near the hitch means 16 on the frame 12 so that it can be lowered to contact the ground and support the front of the dispenser assembly 10 by turning handle 22. The rear support assemblies 18 and the screw jack assembly 20 are each provided with feet 24 to stabilize the contact with the ground. Located on both of the rear corners of the frame 12 are a pair of vertically upstanding support members 26 which are separated by distance A. Receptacle assembly 28 is attached to a receptacle frame 30 which in turn is pivotally attached to the upstanding support members 26 by means of pivots 32. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the receptacle frame 30 has two arms 34, one of which extends between each of the pairs of vertically upstanding support members 26.

The receptacle assembly 28 has an access door 36 for filling the receptacle with particulate material. This door 36 is provided with suitable seals (not shown) for preventing leakage of moisture intothe interior of the receptacle assembly 28. The receptacle assembly 28 has a tapering portion 38 which acts as a conduit or funnel for the particulate material when the receptacle assembly 28 is rotated to the dispensing position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A support assembly 40 is provided on the frame 12 for supporting the receptacle assembly 28 when it is in the lowered position as shown in FIG. 1.

A hydraulically actuated telescoping piston rod and cylinder assembly 42 is provided for rotating the receptacle assembly 28, but is contemplated that other devices could be utilized. The rod 44 of the assembly 42 has its extending and attached to T-shaped bar 46. This T-bar pivotally engages receptacle frame 30 at 48 for allowing the rod 44 to rotate with respect to the receptacle assembly 28. One end of the cylinder 50 is pivotally attached at 52 to the frame 12. A powered hydraulic pump 54 and control valve 56 are suitably mounted on frame 12 for providing and controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure to the piston rod and cylinder assembly 42. It can thus be realized that by operating the hydraulic pump 54 and valve 56 that the receptacle assembly 28 can be rotated between the position shown in FIG. 1 and the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This ability to rotate between the loading position shown in FIG. 1 and the dispensing position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 enables the assembly to have a low profile during transportation, thus conforming to statutory road and highway standards, yet have an elevated dispensing position, allowing mixers and other apparatus to be positioned directly under the dispenser opening. By selecting the pump 54, valve 56 and piston rod and cylinder assembly 42 of a suitable size, the receptacle 28 can be rotated when fully loaded with particulate material. It is also envisioned that other apparatus could be utilized to rotate the assembly 28 such as a mechanical winch or the like.

Another embodiment is also contemplated in which the pivots 32 are located on frame 30 at a position 32a (shown in FIG. 1) which is displaced a distance B from the center of gravity 33 when the assembly 28 contains particulate material, yet is displaced a distance C from the center of gravity 33a when the assembly 28 is substantially empty of particulate material. In this embodiment suitable locks (not shown) can be provided to hold the assembly 28 in either the loading or dispensing positions. Thus, when the assembly 28 is loaded with material, it will automatically rotate when released to the dispensing position due to the relative positions of the pivot 32a and center of gravity 33. Likewise, when the assembly is substantially empty of material, it will automatically rotate when released to the loading position due to the relative positions of pivot 32a and center of gravity 33a.

By examining FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it can be seen that the receptacle assembly 28 is provided with a safety catch assembly 58 which is pivotally attached at 60 to the frame 30 to prevent undesired rotation of the receptacle assembly 28 from the dispensing position shown in FIG. 2. This safety catch assembly 58 comprises two parallel arms 62 which are held in spaced relation by a connecting rod 64. Each of the pair of vertically upstanding support members 26 has an inclined support 66 which extends between the members 26 and the frame 12. Each of these inclined supports are provided with a ratchet means 68 into which the ends of the parallel arms 62 extend. This ratchet means 68 is constructed with two parallel grooves 70 and 72 extending along the length of the ratchet means and in which the ends of parallel arms 62 slide. Groove 70 is a smooth groove through which ends of parallel arms 62 can slide in either direction without obstruction. Groove 72 has a plurality of ratchet teeth 74 located in the bottom thereof which prevent the ends of the parallel arms 62 from moving in a downward direction through the groove but allow the ends of the parallel arms 62 to move in an upward direction.

To utilize this safety catch assembly 58, the parallel arms 62 are placed in a position so that they will slide in parallel grooves 72 and thereafter the hydraulic piston rod and cylinder assembly 42 is actuated to move the receptacle assembly 28 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2, whereupon as the ends of the parallel arms 62 pass over the ratchet teeth 74, the arms 62 are prevented from moving in a downward direction, thus preventing rotation of the assembly 28 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 1. To lower the receptacle assembly, the parallel arms 62 are moved into groove 70 whereupon the parallel arms 62 are allowed to slide freely in a downward direction, thus allowing the receptacle to rotate from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 1.

Removably attached near the lower end of the taper: ing portion 38 of the receptacle assembly 28 is a dispensing assembly 76, the function and operation of which will be described by reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Positioned above the receptacle assembly 76 is a V- shaped baffle 78 which extends completely across and divides in half the opening 80. The dispensing assembly 76 defines a hollow measuring chamber 82 which is bounded by upper and lower diaphragm assemblies 84 and 86 respectively. Mounted in the tapering portion 38 above the baffle 78 is a crank operated particulate material agitator 88 having a plurality of material engaging portions 100. This crank operated agitator can be rotated to prevent packing of the particulate material as it slides down to the tapered portion 38 and into the measuring chamber 82.

The upper diaphragm assembly 84 is provided with guide rods 102 which slide through sockets 104. Two diaphragms 106 and 108 are fixed on the guide rods 102 and have a handle portion 110 for actuating the diaphragm assembly 84 from the exterior of the dispensing assembly 76. As can be seen, when the diaphragm assembly 84 is in the position shown in FIG. 5, the diaphragms 106 and 108 completely block the opening 80 such that particulate material cannot flow from the receptacle assembly down into the measuring chamber 82. When the upper diaphragm assembly 84 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 6 with diaphragm 106 positioned below baffle 78, particulate material will flow down through the openings 80. An indicator window 126 is provided on the side of the assembly 76 to allow the operator to observe when the chamber 82 is full of material. A counter means 124 is provided adjacent the assembly 84 to count the number of times the assembly is opened. By reading the counter, the operator can determine the amount of material retained in the assembly.

Diaphragm assembly 86 is likewise provided with two guide rods 112 which slide in a socket means 114. A diaphragm 116 is attached to these guide rods 112 such that when the handle 118 is pulled and the diaphragm is moved from the position shown in FIG. 6 in solid lines to the position shown in FIG. 6 in phantom lines, material will fall from the chamber 82.

A conduit means 122 is provided with one end adjacent the opening 80 and the other end extending into the upper portion of assembly 28. This conduit means 122 provides a path for air displaced by particulate material from chamber 82.

An open ended dust bag 120 is suitably attached to the lower end of the measuring chamber 82 to prevent blowing of the material as it leaves the dispensing assembly 76.

OPERATION OF THE DEVICE initially, the bulk material dispensing assembly is transported in the position shown in FIG. 1 to a location whereupon it is filled with particulate material through access door 36. The access door is thereafter closed, and the mobile dispensing assembly 10 is moved to the site of use whereupon the rear support assemblies l8 and screw jack assembly are positioned as shown in FIG. 1. Thereafter, the pump assembly 54 and valve 56 are utilized to actuate the piston rod and cylinder assembly 42 to rotate the receptacle assembly 28 to the position shown in FlG. 2.

Thereafter, the material is dispensed from the receptacle assembly 28 by first opening diaphragm assembly 84 to allow measuring chamber 82 to fill with particulate material and diaphragm assembly 84 is then closed and lower diaphragm assembly 86 is opened to allow the particulate material to fall from the measuring chamber and into a mixer or other receptacle as required.

Although the device is disclosed herein as being mounted on a wheeled frame, it is also contemplated that the device could be mounted on a support frame without wheels and transported to the site of use by a truck. This truck could have a boom crane or the like mounted thereon for loading and unloading the device from the truck. The support frames could be constructed to hold the device in an elevated position so that a mixer or the like can be positioned thereunder to receive the bulk material.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates only to preferred embodiments of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for transporting'and dispensing bulk particulate materials such as masonry products, mortar or the like, comprising:

a rigid frame, wheels on said frame for movement over a horizontal surface or the like, support means on said rigid frame, receptacle means for containing a volume of particulate material rotatably mounted on said support means for rotation about a horizontal axis between a first loading position and a second dispensing position;

access opening means on said receptacle means for allowing the particulate materials to be placed in said receptacle when said receptacle is in said first loading position;

removable closure means for closing said access opening means;

seal means between said movable closure and said access opening means for preventing contamination of the particulate material contained in said receptacle means;

dispensing means on said receptacle means for controlling the discharge of particulate materials from said receptacle means when said receptacle means is in said second position, said dispensing means being positioned so that the particulate material in said receptacle will discharge through said dispensing means by force of gravity when said receptacle means is in said dispensing position, said dispensing means defining a dispensing opening, said dispensing means comprising a measuring means for containing a fixed volume of particulate material, means for filling said measuring means with a fixed volume of particulate material, means for discharging said fixed volume of particulate material from said measuring means, said filling means comprising a first movable diaphragm positioned to selectively permit and prevent the fiow of particulate material from said receptacle to said measuring means, said first diaphragm being movable between a first open position in which said first diaphragm permits the flow of particulate material from said receptacle means into said measuring means and a second closed position in which said first diaphragm prevents the How of particulate material from said receptacle means into said measuring means, said filling means further comprising baffle means extending into said receptacle means for covering a central portion of said first diaphragm and for dividing said dispensing opening into first and second openings, said first movable diaphragm comprising a pair of slidable guide members, a pair of spaced plates mounted on said guide members of a size and spacing to cover and prevent flow of particulate material from said receptacle means into said measuring means when said first movable diaphragm is in said second position and wherein one of said pair of plates will be disposed under and covered by said baffle means when said first movable diaphragm is in said first open position to permit flow of particulate materials through said first and second openings, said emptying means comprising a second diaphragm positioned to selectively permit and prevent the discharge of particulate material from said measuring means, said second diaphragm being movable between a first closed position in which said second diaphragm prevents the discharge of particulate material from said measuring means and a second open position when said second diaphragm permits the discharge of particulate material from said measuring means;

means for rotating said receptacle between said first filling and said second dispensing positions, said means for rotating said receptacle comprising a telescoping hydraulic piston and cylinder means with one end pivotally attached to said frame and the other end pivotally attached to said receptacle means;

pump means operatively connected to said hydraulic piston and cylinder means to cause said hydraulic piston and cylinder means to telescope;

agitator means for agitating the particulate material adjacent said dispensing opening, said agitator means comprising rotatable shaft, means for rotating said shaft and material engaging means attached to said shaft for engaging and loosening the particulate material;

vent means for allowing the air displaced from said measuring means by the particulate material to escape into the upper portion of said receptacle means when said receptacle is in said second dispensing position, and releasably locking said receptacle in said second dispensing position and preventing rotation of said receptacle therefrom.

locking means for 

1. An apparatus for transporting and dispensing bulk particulate materials such as masonry products, mortar or the like, comprising: a rigid frame, wheels on said frame for movement over a horizontal surface or the like, support means on said rigid frame, receptacle means for containing a volume of particulate material rotatably mounted on said support means for rotation about a horizontal axis between a first loading position and a second dispensing position; access opening means on said receptacle means for allowing the particulate materials to be placed in said receptacle when said receptacle is in said first loading position; removable closure means for closing said access opening means; seal means between said movable closure and said access opening means for preventing contamination of the particulate material contained in said receptacle means; dispensing means on said receptacle means for controlling the discharge of particulate materials from said receptacle means when said receptacle means is in said second position, said dispensing means being positioned so that the particulate material in said receptacle will discharge through said dispensing means by force of gravity when said receptacle means is in said dispensing position, said dispensing means defining a dispensing opening, said dispensing means comprising a measuring means for containing a fixed volume of particulate material, means for filling said measuring means with a fixed volume of particulate material, means for discharging said fixed volume of particulate material from said measuring means, said filling means comprising a first movable diaphragm positioned to selectively permit and prevent the flow of particulate material from said receptacle to said measuring means, said first diaphragm being movable between a first open position in which said first diaphragm permits the flow of particulate material from said receptacle means into said measuring means and a second closed position in which said first diaphragm prevents the flow of particulate material from said receptacle means into said measuring means, said filling means further comprising baffle means extending into said receptacle means for covering a central portion of said first diaphragm and for dividing said dispensing opening into first and second openings, said first movable diaphragm comprising a pair of slidable guide members, a pair of spaced plates mounted on said guide members of a size and spacing to cover and prevent flow of particulate material from said receptacle means into said measuring means when said first movable diaphragm is in said second position and wherein one of said pair of plates will be disposed under and covered by said baffle means when said first movable diaphragm is in said first open position to permit flow of particulate materials through said first and second openings, said emptying means comprising a second diaphragm positioned to selectively permit and prevent the discharge of particulate material from said measuring means, said second diaphragm being movable between a first closed position in which said second diaphragm prevents the discharge of particulate material from said measuring means and a second open position when said second diaphragm permits the discharge of particulate material from said measuring means; means for rotating said receptacle between said first filling and said second dispensing positions, said means for rotating said receptacle comprising a telescoping hydraulic piston and cylinder means with one end pivotally attached to said frame and the other end pivotally attached to said receptacle means; pump means operatively connected to said hydraulic piston and cylinder means to cause said hydraulic piston and cylinder means to telescope; agitator means for agitating the particulate material adjacent said dispensing opening, said agitator means comprising rotatable shaft, means for rotating said shaft and material engaging means attached to said shaft for engaging and loosening the particulate material; vent means for allowing the air displaced from said measuring means by the particulate material to escape into the upper portion of said receptacle means when said receptacle is in said second dispensing position, and locking means for releasably locking said receptacle in said second dispensing position and preventing rotation of said receptacle therefrom. 